2nd Grade Poppies in Perspective

Second grade studied perspective to create these stunning poppy paintings.  They first drew a horizon line on either light blue or light gray paper.  Next, they painted red "lips" starting at the bottom with the largest and ending at the horizon line with the smallest.  Once dry, they used black oil pastel to add the black centers.  Using light green and dark green oil pastel, they drew lines to represent the grass and stems.  To add just a small amount of detail, they painted (or drew with oil pastel small wildflowers in pink and yellow. 

After hanging these in the hallway, many teachers told me that they'd like to have one to hang at home and they couldn't believe that second graders created these!

I can't take credit for this project idea, although I can't remember where I saw it!  Sometimes I find something that just sticks with me!

6th Grade Van Gogh Interpretations

Sixth graders studied the life and artistic style of Vincent van Gogh.  They chose one of his paintings, closely examining his use of texture and color.  Instead of copying the artwork exactly, the students were asked to create their own version of one of his many famous paintings using oil pastel.  It just so happens the examples I chose to post are of his "Starry Night" paintings. 

This artwork absolutely stunned me when it was turned in.  Some people just have that natural ability to understand color and texture.  Letting loose was always difficult for me because I have such a mathematical brain where everything needs to be straight and perfect (not that there's not a place for this kind of style in art) and letting loose was something that I needed to learn over time.  Anyway, I am SO impressed with this student's ability to create some pretty impressive paintings and oil pastel drawings!

4th Grade Value Snowmen

5th Grade Bald Eagle Oil Pastel Drawings

Fifth grade students these bald eagle flag drawings to celebrate Veteran's Day.  They were given a piece of black construction paper and then drew a partial bald eagle on one side or the other and added the flag stripes with pencil.  They were allowed to look at several examples of bald eagle photographs for this.  Next, they traced over the pencil lines with white school glue and let the artwork dry overnight.  Using oil pastel, they colored between the glue lines (and let me tell you that we went through a TON of white and red oil pastels.  Lastly we added a subtle shadows and shading around the head of the eagle.

6th Grade Value Pumpkin Patch